Opening act: Anderson County Fair begins 10-day run

Six-year old Murphy McBride stands on his toes to peek over his short horn steer at his competition Friday in the Junior Beef Show in the opening minutes at the Anderson County Fair in Anderson.

Eight-year old Rajan Harkness, left, and seven-year old Kashaya Bash smile as they quickly ride down the Super Slide Friday at the Anderson County Fair in Anderson.

ANDERSON COUNTY - The weather Friday was perfect for the birds — those on display at the Anderson County Fair, that is.

Cooler temperatures meant less stress on the more than 200 chickens, pheasants and assorted birds brought in by area 4-H members and farmers, according to Mickey Hall, an associate professor at Clemson University.

Friday was opening day for the 85th edition of the fair, which runs through Oct. 21.

"That (number of birds) is way up from last year. I think last year with the Avian flu scare people were afraid to bring their birds in," Ms. Hall said. "This year it seems to have subsided."

With video camera in hand, Anderson resident Doug Bradford strolled through the barn with his 5-year-old granddaughter, Gracie, and her friend, Brooke.

"I just wanted to get the kids out," Mr. Bradford said. "I don't think she's been out to the fair more than once or twice."

The fair has become an annual tradition for Philip and Karen Richmond, who visited Friday with Carol Brake, Jan Stone and her 3-year-old granddaughter, Carmen. The poultry barn was among the group's first stops.

"We look forward to being around all the people," Ms. Richmond said. "We'll probably be back at least two or three times."

Retirees Dale and Lorraine Rouse said they travel the country in their recreational vehicle and happened to be passing through the Anderson area this weekend. The couple visits several fairs each year, Ms. Rouse said.

"It's great to get to see things like this," she said. "This is the first time we've ever been to a fair on opening day, and it was just by accident."

Fair Manager John Owens said he expected between 15,000 and 20,000 people to visit the fair Friday.

"This is one of our biggest days," he said.

And what would a fair be without food.

The smell of grilled Italian sausage, onions and peppers drifted into the air from Mattison's Smoked BBQ.

If the weather holds, owner Melvin Mattison said he expects to sell between $10,000-$12,000 off his menu, which includes fried chicken, green beans and macaroni and cheese.

Meanwhile, bologna sandwiches smothered in mustard and onions has been a staple at Mattison's — not to be confused with the aforementioned vendor of the same name — for 30 years.

"It's nice to see the same people come back that I've know for years," he said.

For fairgoers with a hankering for Philly cheese steak or chili cheese fries, there's the ‘Lil' Lunch Box.' It's the first time owner Jennifer Medina, of Dacusville, has brought her bright, red trailer to the fair.

Customers are handed their food in brown paper bags.

"We're little, but we do mighty stuff," Ms. Medina said. "We're doing very well so far."